Surname Edgcumbe - Meaning and Origin
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Edgcumbe: What does the surname Edgcumbe mean?
The surname Edgcumbe derives from the place name Edgcumbe in the parish of Maker, Cornwall in England. It was mentioned in the Domesday book of 1086 and was then spelled ‘Edekecome’. The meaning of the name is thought to be derived from the Old English elements ead meaning 'riches' and cumb meaning 'valley' or 'confluence'.
This surname is associated with Edgcumbe House, a grade 1 listed building near Mount Edgcumbe House, an estate in the parish of Maker, Cornwall. The house was built in 1547 by Piers Edgcumbe and remains in the family to this day. The Edgcombe family traces its roots back to the Norman Conquest and many branches of the family were involved in national politics, particularly in the 19th century.
The Edgcombe family is related to a number of more prominent figures in English history. Prime Minister George Grenville, Sir Francis Drake, and Sir Francis Bacon all descended from the Edgcombe family tree. The Edgcombes are also related to Lady Diana Spencer, the mother of Prince William and Prince Harry.
Overall, the surname Edgcumbe is associated with an illustrious history and a wealth of prominent figures in history. It is a reminder of the significant influence that members of the Edgcombe family have had in England and beyond.
Order DNA origin analysisEdgcumbe: Where does the name Edgcumbe come from?
The last name Edgcumbe is a fairly uncommon name in the modern English-speaking world today. In the US, the name appears in only a handful of states, with the most occurring in California, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, and New York. When looking at the UK, Edgcumbe is also relatively uncommon, however, it is more common in the south-west of England, mostly concentrated in counties such as Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset. It appears to be linked to the county of Devon, when looking at historical records.
The Edgcumbe name is believed to originate from the Anglo-Saxon influence in Britain. It is believed to have been derived from the Old English words 'ecg' meaning edge and 'cumb' meaning valley.
The Edgcumbe family can be traced back to pre-Norman England, where the first recorded mention of a person in the family was in 1110. The family were lords of the manor in Cotehele, and later became the Earls of Mount Edgcumbe.
Edgcumbe is also a hamlet in the borough of Thurrock, Essex. This takes its name from an area of Edgcumbe Woods, which was named after the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe family.
In more recent times, Edgcumbe is less common in the UK and Europe, but it still exists in some of the other parts of the English-speaking world. There are some scattered occurrences of the name in the US, and there is also a notable association with the Dominican Republic. These associations point towards the Edgcumbe family originating from those areas, rather than it being a modern-day occurrence or adaptation of the name.
Variations of the surname Edgcumbe
The surname Edgcumbe is derived from several different roots and has several different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The surname Edgcumbe is often spelled Egcumbe. It is believed to have derived from the Old English “ecg” which means edge. Thus, the surname “Edgcumbe” means from the edge. The variant spelling “Egcumbe” has a similar meaning, but also reflects a Scottish spelling of the same root.
The surname Edgcombe may have derived from a place name, such as the village of Edgecombe in Devon England, ultimately derived from the Old English “ecg” and “cumb” which means valley. The surname Egcombe is also believed to have derived from this same place name.
The surname Edgecombe is another alternative spelling, stemming from the same roots as Edgcumbe, derived from the Old English “ecg” and “cumb”. This variant has been found in Canada and the United States as well as England.
The surname Edgecomb may have Dutch origins dating back to the 17th century spelling of Edgcomb in England. It is derived from a place name in England and possibly has influence from other European countries such as France.
The surname Edgcomb has been found in the United States and is likely a spelling variation of either Edgcumbe or Edgecombe. This is a rare and relatively modern surname as compared to other variants and it is not likely to have as deep roots.
The surname Edgcombe is a variation of Edgcumbe and holds the same meanings of edge and valley. This surname is found most frequently in England and is believed to have evolved from earlier variants.
Finally, the surname Edgeham is another variant of Edgcumbe. This is a rare name and is likely to have evolved from a place name with the same roots in England.
Overall, the surname Edgcumbe has several variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. All of them hold similar meanings derived from Old English and many are place names around England.
Famous people with the name Edgcumbe
- Rowland Edgcumbe: Rowland Edgcumbe is a British actor best known for his roles in films such as Chasing Amy, Southpaw, and The 51st State as well as TV shows such as Holby City and EastEnders.
- Eliza Edgcumbe: Eliza Edgcumbe was a British stage actress and musician in the early 20th century. She is best known for her starring role in the musical, The Lovebirds, which ran for over 800 performances in the West End.
- Julian Edgcumbe: Julian Edgcumbe is a contemporary British artist whose work has been exhibited in various institutions and galleries across the country, including the British Museum.
- Lady Brigid Edgcumbe: Lady Brigid Edgcumbe is an English aristocrat and fashion designer, best known for her work as the Creative Director of her eponymous fashion label.
- George Edgcumbe: George Edgcumbe was a British theatre and television actor who starred in a number of popular shows such as The Prisoner, Z-Cars, and The Avengers.
- Richard Edgcumbe: Baron Richard Edgcumbe was a British politician and the Conservative member of Parliament for Plympton and Plymstock from 1979 to 1997.
- Susan Edgcumbe: Susan Edgcumbe is a British portrait painter and landscape artist who has created a number of prominent works for the National Portrait Gallery in London.
- John Edgcumbe: John Edgcumbe was a British lawyer and member of parliament who served as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Plympton and Plymstock from 1936 to 1945.
- Thomas Edgcumbe: Thomas Edgcumbe was an English priest and educator who wrote several books on ecclesiastical history, including The Life and Times of Archbishop Cranmer, and helped to establish a number of schools in Cornwall.